Abstract: A wheel end of a vehicle includes a knuckle and a wheel and wheel hub rotatably mounted to the knuckle. A CV-joint is positioned adjacent to the wheel hub. A clutch ring is slidable between engagement with one of the wheel hub and the CV-joint or both. A pneumatic annular actuator is connected to a shift fork that is engaged with the clutch ring for movement of the clutch ring between engaged and dis-engaged. The shift fork includes a base portion and an L-shaped section. The L-shaped section includes a plurality of slots therein to allow the shift fork to deflect and pivot when a misalignment occurs between the teeth of the constant velocity joint half shaft and the clutch ring during assembly of the CV-joint to the wheel hub. The pneumatic actuator includes an elastomeric diaphragm wall that includes a compliant stop extending axially therefrom.

Abstract: A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.

Abstract: A pulling tool is provided with a rotatable drum having a cable wound thereon. A motor is drivingly connected to the rotatable drum and the rotatable drum and motor are disposed within a unique housing structure. The rotatable drum is driven by a planetary gear system that is disposed within the rotatable drum to provide a compact assembly. A belt and pulley system is provided for delivering torque from the motor to the planetary gear system. The rotatable drum is provided with a two-piece stepped construction that allows the planetary gear system to be assembled within the drum and allows for the initial wraps of a cable around the smaller diameter portion of the stepped drum.

Abstract: A winch includes a motor and a rotatable drum drivingly attached to the motor. The rotatable drum includes an anchor pocket therein. A cable includes a proximal end connected to the rotatable drum by an anchor received in said anchor pocket with the cable wrapped around the anchor. The anchor includes a first slot in a surface thereof and the rotatable drum includes a second slot therein adjacent to the anchor pocket that allows access to the first slot in the anchor. An edge of the second slot forms a fulcrum point for a pry tool inserted into the first and second slots for freeing the anchor from the anchor pocket.

Abstract: A pulse vacuum hub lock system for selectively engaging a wheel hub to an axial shaft includes a cartridge housing assembly received in a bore in the wheel hub. The cartridge housing assembly supports a clutch ring for movable engagement between splines in the wheel hub and directly on the axle shaft. A diaphragm is connected to a piston assembly and is responsive to a vacuum pressure to activate the piston assembly to engage or disengage a latch mechanism that holds the clutch ring in an engaged or disengaged position. A piston spring and a helper spring are provided between primary and secondary pistons of the piston assembly and allow for separation in the vacuum levels required to activate the latch mechanism. The vacuum hub lock system is compact so as to be disposed inboard of an opening in the exterior surface of a wheel rim.

Abstract: A wireless remote forms a two-way radiofrequency (RF) communication network with a winch control module that allows the wireless remote to control both the winch and additional vehicle accessories through the winch control module. Further accessory control modules allow the control of more accessories utilizing the wireless remote by way of RF communication. Feedback from either the winch control module or the accessory control module is sent back to the wireless remote to allow the operator to view the current operating conditions of the winch or accessories.

Abstract: A wheel end of a vehicle includes a knuckle and a wheel and wheel hub rotatably mounted to the knuckle. A CV-joint is positioned adjacent to the wheel hub. A clutch ring is slidable between engagement with one of the wheel hub and the CV-joint or both. A pneumatic annular actuator is connected to a shift fork that is engaged with the clutch ring for movement of the clutch ring between engaged and dis-engaged. The shift fork includes a base portion and an L-shaped section. The L-shaped section includes a plurality of slots therein to allow the shift fork to deflect and pivot when a misalignment occurs between the teeth of the constant velocity joint half shaft and the clutch ring during assembly of the CV-joint to the wheel hub. The pneumatic actuator includes an elastomeric diaphragm wall that includes a compliant stop extending axially therefrom.

Abstract: A pulling tool is provided with a rotatable drum having a cable wound thereon. A motor is drivingly connected to the rotatable drum and the rotatable drum and motor are disposed within a unique housing structure. The rotatable drum is driven by a planetary gear system that is disposed within the rotatable drum to provide a compact assembly. A belt and pulley system is provided for delivering torque from the motor to the planetary gear system. The rotatable drum is provided with a two-piece stepped construction that allows the planetary gear system to be assembled within the drum and allows for the initial wraps of a cable around the smaller diameter portion of the stepped drum.

Abstract: A pulling tool is provided with a rotatable drum having a cable wound thereon. A motor is drivingly connected to the rotatable drum and the rotatable drum and motor are disposed within a unique housing structure. The rotatable drum is driven by a planetary gear system that is disposed within the rotatable drum to provide a compact assembly. A belt and pulley system is provided for delivering torque from the motor to the planetary gear system. The rotatable drum is provided with a two-piece stepped construction that allows the planetary gear system to be assembled within the drum and allows for the initial wraps of a cable around the smaller diameter portion of the stepped drum.

Abstract: A wireless remote forms a two-way radiofrequency (RF) communication network with a winch control module that allows the wireless remote to control both the winch and additional vehicle accessories through the winch control module. Further accessory control modules allow the control of more accessories utilizing the wireless remote by way of RF communication. Feedback from either the winch control module or the accessory control module is sent back to the wireless remote to allow the operator to view the current operating conditions of the winch or accessories.

Abstract: A winch is provided including a rotatable drum and a gear train drivingly connecting a motor to the rotatable drum. The gear train includes a clutch that is operable to be disengaged to allow the rotatable drum to free spool. A clutch actuator is provided for disengaging the clutch and the clutch includes a pivoting pawl having a first end that engages a clutch dog of a planetary ring gear and the clutch actuator includes an electro-magnetic solenoid having a plunger that engages a second end of the pivoting pawl.

Abstract: A pulse vacuum hub lock system for selectively engaging a wheel hub to an axial shaft includes a cartridge housing assembly received in a bore in the wheel hub. The cartridge housing assembly supports a clutch ring for movable engagement between splines in the wheel hub and directly on the axle shaft. A diaphragm is connected to a piston assembly and is responsive to a vacuum pressure to activate the piston assembly to engage or disengage a latch mechanism that holds the clutch ring in an engaged or disengaged position. A piston spring and a helper spring are provided between primary and secondary pistons of the piston assembly and allow for separation in the vacuum levels required to activate the latch mechanism. The vacuum hub lock system is compact so as to be disposed inboard of an opening in the exterior surface of a wheel rim.